Proverbs About the Poor (Part 2)

This is a sensitive subject for me.  I have always (even as a little boy) been very moved by poverty.  I somehow really struggle with the distance between the rich and poor, and extremely troubled by the politicization of the poor.  How is genocide still possible in the modern world?  How can a blind eye be turned toward human suffering?  I am dumbfounded by “help” agencies, including many non-profits that are so inefficient at delivering resources to meet real needs.  You know how it is, right?  TOO many hands in the till,  and too much administrative cost.  Poverty is often created, pondered to, and entrapped for gain.  We are so in need of wisdom about the poor and the who, what, why and how of it.  These truths can help us separate our frustrations, our judgements, and ignorance from the real issues.

Here are five more proverbs to help us think wisely with my commentary attached in parenthesis.

1.  Do not spend as if you are rich. – Proverbs 13:7  (Credit is basically of the devil and herein is

    a big part of the bigger problem.)

2.  The poor are not rebuked. – Proverbs 13:8  (Poverty is not sin in and of itself.  God cares

     especially for the poor.)

3.  Learn to manage your crops well. – Proverbs 13:23  (Or learn the hard way not to save and do

    not consume all your resources before you have more.)

4.  Do not hate other poor people. – Proverbs 14:20  (This goes for “other gossips, “other fat

     people”, and “other loud people”, too – just a partial list)

5.  Better little with the fear of the Lord than the troubles of wealth. – Proverbs 15:16  (The rich

    are notoriously unhappy and some of our leaner times were better.)

Love these teachings.  Very inspiring and very revealing.  Hope you are inspired and a little exposed, too.

In His service,

Pastor Fred

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